Critics question whether smaller economies are prepared for the e-commerce levy and AfCFTA integration without being eclipsed by stronger markets. Photo: Courtesy.
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a moment that felt both historic and deeply personal, His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the newly appointed Chairperson of the African Union Commission, took to the stage on May 12th, 2025, not just to speak, but to inspire.
Addressing a cross-continental audience at a high-level media briefing, Chairperson Youssouf unveiled a compelling and urgent blueprint for Africa’s rebirth—one grounded in peace, self-reliance, and a confident reimagining of the continent’s role on the global stage.
It was more than just a press encounter—it was a call to the hearts. In measured yet impassioned tones, Youssouf outlined what he called “a continental awakening.” His words, though rooted in institutional frameworks and policy architecture, struck a human chord—echoing the shared longing of over 1.4 billion Africans to not merely survive, but thrive, under the banner of a united, empowered continent.
From the onset, Youssouf made one thing abundantly clear: Africa’s time is now, and its future will not be shaped by circumstance, but by conviction. Drawing from the ethos of Agenda 2063, the Chairperson spoke with a clarity of purpose that went beyond diplomatic convention.
“We can no longer be bystanders to our own story,” he said, capturing a sentiment long held across generations of African thinkers, doers, and dreamers. “Africa must be the author of its destiny.”
He began where all roads to progress must begin—with peace. Without it, Youssouf warned, the rest is illusion. He detailed robust plans to sharpen the continent’s conflict prevention tools, including a revitalized early warning system and a fully operational African Standby Force.
These are not abstract mechanisms—they are lifelines for communities still grappling with the scars of conflict, terrorism, and governance breakdowns. His tone was not just administrative—it was protective, as though he felt personally accountable for every child displaced by war or youth lured into extremism.
From this moral foundation, he pivoted into bold economic terrain. Africa, he argued, must cast off the psychological burden of dependency and embrace financial sovereignty. The strategy? Innovate boldly and mobilize what is already Africa’s—its people, its potential, and its passion. Among the innovations announced were African Diaspora Bonds, tapping into the staggering $95 billion in annual remittances from Africans abroad.
With pride and precision, Youssouf also introduced plans for a continental e-commerce levy—a move both pragmatic and symbolic, asserting Africa’s stake in the digital frontier. And perhaps most visionary of all, he unveiled the groundwork for an AU Sovereign Wealth Fund, designed to ensure the continent can weather global economic storms with dignity and autonomy.
These ideas, while bold, are grounded in urgency. Africa’s youth, he reminded the audience, are not a future to prepare for—they are a present to empower. With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the Chairperson emphasized the need to transform demographic potential into socio-economic momentum.
This is why the AU’s Start-up Act Model Law is gaining traction—creating fertile ground for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital leadership. From coding bootcamps in Nairobi to AI incubators in Kigali, Africa’s young minds are already scripting a different future. The Commission, Youssouf affirmed, must do no less than rise to meet their energy with policies that unlock rather than obstruct.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated elements of the Chairperson’s roadmap was his reaffirmation of commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Here, his words were not bureaucratic—they were visionary.
“It’s time,” he said simply, “that Africans trade with Africans.” With AfCFTA promising to boost intra-African trade by over 50%, Youssouf acknowledged that policy must now be met with practical infrastructure: roads that connect Lagos to Dakar, fiber optics that link Cairo to Cape Town, and border posts that welcome rather than obstruct. By tackling non-tariff barriers and investing in logistics, the AU hopes not only to open markets but to weave a tighter, more self-sufficient African fabric.
International engagement was not neglected—but it was reframed. Africa’s growing voice in the G20 was described not as symbolic but strategic. “We are not petitioners—we are partners,” Youssouf emphasized, advocating for reforms in global financial architecture that reflect Africa’s rightful place in global decision-making.
He also pointed to upcoming engagements—particularly the EU-AU Foreign Affairs Ministerial Meeting on May 21—as crucial stages to recalibrate cooperation on migration, energy, and multilateral governance.
There was an elegance to the way he spoke of partnerships—not just as transactions, but as shared futures. BRICS nations, Arab partners, and traditional allies were all invited to walk with Africa, but not ahead of it. Infrastructure, sustainable development, and climate resilience were all on the agenda, but the continent’s dignity and self-determination, Youssouf made clear, are non-negotiable.
The media briefing ended not with a dry summary, but with a stirring reflection—one that felt as much a personal promise as a political pledge. “Africa must believe in Africa,” Youssouf said, eyes steady, voice low but resolute. “We are the generation that must dare to define our path.”
Across the continent, reactions were swift and deeply emotional. From young activists in Accra to entrepreneurs in Addis Ababa, many saw in Youssouf’s words not just a leader, but a listener—someone attuned to the rhythm of the times, yet grounded in the soil of Pan-African wisdom. On social media, voices like Atingane Adumbire called for making AfCFTA a lived reality through infrastructure and mobility, while figures like Habib Abdulhamid urged Africans to reclaim the “battle of the mind,” reinforcing that the continent’s greatest transformation must begin within.
Yet, as with any seismic shift, not all reactions were uniformly celebratory. In Tanzania, some critics voiced caution. A few parliamentarians and civil society leaders expressed concern over what they described as the “idealistic tilt” of the AUC Chairperson’s proposals, especially regarding financial sovereignty.
“There is a difference between aspiration and feasibility,” noted one prominent academic from the University of Dar es Salaam. Others questioned the practical implications of the proposed continental e-commerce levy and the readiness of smaller economies to integrate seamlessly into AfCFTA without being overshadowed by dominant markets. These are not voices of opposition, per se, but of grounded skepticism—an important democratic check that enriches the larger continental discourse.
Chairperson Youssouf did not shy away from the complexities facing Africa—he embraced them with clarity and resolve. Addressing the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he called it “a test of Africa’s collective conscience,” stressing that sustainable peace must rise from both diplomatic negotiation and grassroots reconciliation.
He confirmed the African Union’s active role in brokering talks between the DRC government and rebel groups, while acknowledging the “critical supportive roles” of Qatar and the United States—Qatar hosting discreet preliminary discussions, and the U.S. offering logistical and intelligence support. Yet, Youssouf firmly underscored: “This is an African-led process. External partners are here to assist, not to dictate.”
This balance between collaboration and continental sovereignty defines Youssouf’s leadership—measured, human, and visionary. He listens as deeply as he speaks, forging a path grounded not in political theater but in purposeful action.
In his vision, Africa sees not only a plan but a reflection of itself—bold, complex, and ready. As he channels the legacies of Nkrumah, Nyerere, Sankara, and Mandela, the message is clear: Africa’s future must be shaped by Africans. The road may be steep, but for once, the continent has not been asked to wait. It has been called to lead.